Oconee County Felony Records Search

Oconee County felony records are managed by the Clerk of Superior Court and the Sheriff's Office in Watkinsville. This county sits just south of Athens and has about 45,000 residents. The Western Judicial Circuit handles felony cases for both Oconee and Clarke counties. The clerk stores all court filings, while the sheriff keeps arrest and jail records. You can look up felony records at the Watkinsville courthouse in person, call the clerk, send a written request, or use Georgia's state online databases.

Oconee County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court is the primary office for felony records in Oconee County. Every criminal case filing goes through this office. Indictments, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and dispositions are all kept here. The clerk maintains both paper and digital records for felony cases heard in the Oconee County Superior Court.

To search records, visit the courthouse at 23 N. Main Street, Watkinsville, GA 30677. Bring a valid ID and know the name of the person whose record you need. Having a date of birth or case number speeds up the search. Copies are $0.10 per page under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70. Certified copies cost extra. Call (706) 769-3940 with questions about felony case records. The clerk handles walk-in requests and also accepts written requests by mail.

Oconee County shares the Western Judicial Circuit with Clarke County. Judges rotate between the two courthouses. But each county's clerk office keeps its own records separate. Oconee County records stay in Watkinsville no matter which judge handled the case.

Oconee County Sheriff's Office

The Oconee County Sheriff's Office handles arrest records and jail bookings. Under O.C.G.A. § 42-4-7, the sheriff must keep records of all persons held in the county jail. These records show the person's name, charges, booking date, and the issuing court. Felony arrest records in Oconee County are public under state law.

The sheriff's office is at 1291 Greensboro Highway, Watkinsville, GA 30677. Call (706) 769-5665 for inmate info or recent arrest details. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34, local agencies can charge up to $20 for a criminal history check. Oconee County is relatively small, so the sheriff's office tends to process requests faster than larger metro counties.

The Oconee County government website shown above provides access to county departments and services, including the sheriff's office and clerk of court.

Searching Oconee County Felony Records Online

State databases are the quickest way to check Oconee County felony records without going to the courthouse.

The GDC Offender Query is free to use. It lists all current and former state prison inmates. If someone from Oconee County received a prison sentence, they appear in this tool. You can search by name, GDC ID, or physical description. Results include charges, sentence length, assigned facility, and estimated release dates.

The Georgia Felon Search costs $15 per search. It pulls from the GCIC database and covers all felony convictions statewide. You need the person's full name, date of birth, and sex. Results are instant. Even if no record is found, the fee still applies. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-35, this information can be disclosed without a fingerprint check.

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority links all 159 county clerk offices through a shared system. Oconee County uses this for e-filing and case management. Some records are searchable on the GSCCCA site, though full criminal case lookups may need a paid account or an in-person visit to the courthouse.

Record Access and Restrictions

Felony records in Oconee County are public. Anyone can request them. Court files, arrest records, and booking data fall under the Georgia Open Records Act. Agencies must respond within three business days.

Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37, some arrest records can be restricted if the case was never prosecuted. For arrests after July 1, 2013, the district attorney handles restriction requests. Older cases go through the arresting agency. Restricted records still appear in law enforcement checks but not public searches. The First Offender Act (O.C.G.A. § 42-8-62.1) allows first-time offenders to seal records after finishing their sentence. Violent felonies per O.C.G.A. § 17-3-2.1 carry a seven-year wait before restriction is possible.

State Resources for Oconee County

The Georgia Crime Information Center gathers criminal history data from all counties, including Oconee. Under O.C.G.A. § 35-3-33, GCIC must maintain complete records. You can request a background check through the sheriff's office or GCIC directly.

The State Board of Pardons and Paroles tracks parole data for anyone convicted in Oconee County. If a person went to prison and was later paroled, that info is in the board's system. The board also processes pardon applications, which is separate from record restriction.

Keep in mind that state databases might lag behind the most recent filings from the Oconee County Superior Court. For current case info, call the clerk's office.

Cities in Oconee County

Oconee County includes Watkinsville, Bishop, Bogart, and North High Shoals. All felony cases from these cities go through the Oconee County Superior Court. The nearby city of Athens is in Clarke County but is close to the Oconee County line. No cities within Oconee County meet the population threshold for their own page.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Oconee County. Each maintains its own felony records at their own courthouse.